1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

MULTIPLE ABS LIGHT PROBLEMS. MOST RECENT FIXED BY REPLACING BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS. STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS HAD CAUSED SHORTED FUSE WHICH KNOCKED OUT SPEEDOMETER, HEATER AND CRUISE CONTROL. THIS BILL WAS $336.86, AND IT'S THE FOURTH TIME WE'VE HAD ABS-RELATED PROBLEMS. RECALL NEEDED! *TR

WE HAVE A 99 WINDSTAR WITH A BROKEN ENGINE CRADLE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN ALONG WITH MY SON TO A LOCAL RETAILER. SHE WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG UNDER THE VAN. MY SON WHO WAS SITTING TON THE PASSENGER SIDE SAID HE FELT IT UNDER HIS FEET. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD EVEN THOUGH THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. SHE WAS ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME SO DECIDED TO TAKE IT BACK HOME. SURPRISINGLY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME. I CRAWLED UNDER THE UNIT AND IMMEDIATELY SAW THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD SNAPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR. IT WAS THEN THAT WE STOPPED DRIVING THE VAN DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AND THEY WERE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IDENTICAL TO OURS. IT SEEMS THAT THE AC DRAIN HOSE IS SITUATED OVER THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE BREAK. APPARENTLY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THIS CAUSES THE FRAME TO RUST OUT. I CALLED FORD TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND PASSED ON BUYING A NEW PART DUE TO THE COST. I HAD TO TAKE A DAY OFF FROM WORK AND GO JUNKYARD SHOPPING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PART. I LOCATED ONE AND WE HAD THE UNIT TOWED TO LUCAS FORD IN BURLINGTON, N.J. WHERE MY WIFE WORKS PART TIME. THE PART WAS DELIVERED AND THE DEALER DID THE REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH A BAD RACK AND PINION UNIT THAT WAS DISCOVERED AT THE SAME TIME. THE UNIT HAD 77,817 ON THE ODOMETER AT THE TIME THE WORK WAS DONE. I CAN UNDERSTAND MECHANICAL ITEMS GOING BAD BUT THIS WAS A STRUCTURAL ITEM. THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE SAY HAD SHE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE DOING 65 MPH INSTEAD OF ON A LOCAL ROAD DOING 40 MPH. I COULD SEE IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT IT ISN'T. I CONTACTED FORD ONE MORE TIME AND COMPLAINED AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORDS AND PROBABLY ALWAYS WILL BUT THIS EXPERIENCE ALONG WITH ONE I HAD CONCERNING MY 1985 THUNDERBIRD CONTROL MODULE HAS LEFT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH AS TO HOW THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BEING TRANSMITTED FROM THE ENGINE TO THE WHEELS (LATER DETERMINED TO BE A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER THAT ALSO DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION). *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR 3.0L 4SP AUTO. ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (TESTED AT MY EXPENSE $70) HAS GONE BAD, SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS. I HAVE NO ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER OR ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE ENGINE ALSO SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN ON OCCASION, DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S RELATED OR NOT. VAN RUNS GOOD OTHERWISE, HAS 107000 MILES ON IT I THINK, SINCE THE ODOMETER HASN'T WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS. I CANT EVEN GET A REPLACEMENT MODULE UNLESS I GO TO FORD AND THEN I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT PROGRAMMED TOO. ITS SHAMEFUL HOW MUCH OF THE GAUGES ARE AFFECTED. I COULD LIVE WITHOUT THE ANTILOCK, BUT I NEED A SPEEDOMETER, MY VAN IS DEAD IN THE DRIVEWAY UNTIL I WORK ENOUGH OVERTIME TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE OUT. *TR

SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING, CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. ( APPROXIMATELY LATE FEBRUARY 2009) BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY LIT. REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FAN CONSTANTLY ON WHEN HEAT/AC ENGAGED. #10 FUSE BLOWN. FIX WAS ON 3/25/09---BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (2B264) AND PLUG AND FUSE #10 REPLACED. SOME LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID WITH CORROSION EVIDENT TO MECHANIC, ALTHOUGH MINIMAL WIRE DAMAGE NOTED. MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT FLUID HAD JUST RECENTLY STARTED LEAKING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK IN THE AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

OUR 1999 WINDSTARS IDLING WHILE STATIONARY IN PARK OR WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED WOULD BECOME ERRATIC AND STALL, WITH BRAKES DEPRESSED WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT VEHICLE IN N TO TRY TO KEEP RPMS UP, VEHICLE STALL WHEN STARTED TO WARM UP THEN START UP AFTER TURNING KEY OFF THEN BACK ON THEN THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WE HAD TO GET THE WHOLE FUEL SYSTEM MINUS THE GAS TANK REPLACED(PUMP, FILTER,SENDING UNIT) BUT WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED WE DIDNT GET THE FUEL GAGE BACK AND THE MECHANIC COULDNT FIND WHY. THEN WE HAD STATIC COMING THRU THE SPEAKERS WHILE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING AND JUST STOPPED AS SOON AS STARTED, THEN OUR BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY DEAD WE HAD JUST BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY SO WE HAD TO UNHOOK AND HOOK UP THE CABLES EVERYTIME WE DROVE OR BATTERY WOULD DIE .THEN THE INTERIOR LAMPS WOULD NOT GO OFF AT TIMES WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE OFF ON THE DIAL AT ALL TIMES THEY WOULD SOMETIMES COME ON WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AND NOT GO OFF. THEN WE STARTED HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS FROM THE ABS SENSOR TO EXCESSIVE FLUID LOSS AND PADS(TWICE WITHIN A COUPLE MONTHS) AND DRUMS NEEDING COMPLETELY REPAIRED BRAKE LIGHTS THAT WOULDNT GO OFF EXCEPT WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF ABS SENSOR FLASHING/STAYING ON, WE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING VEHICLE BUT WHEN WE TOOK IT IN STARTER, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY WERE FINE IT WOULD TAKE 30 MINS OR MORE TO GET VEHICLE TO START BUT IT WOULD CRANK OVER, ONE DAY IT STALLED AND WOULDNT START WE TOOK IT IN AND WERE TOLD THE FP(9 MOS OLD) AND PCM FUSE WAS BLOWING. WE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BUT WAS STILL PULLING 16 AMPS IT RAN FOR ABOUT 60 MILES AND DIED. NEW FUSE AND WHILE DRIVING GUAGES WENT HAYWIRE,VAN DIED,WHILE FILLING WITH BROWN SMOKE MY SON AND I WERE IN IT BOTH HAVE ASTHMA AND DR SAID TO KEEP HIM HOME TIL HE FELT BETTER(HE WAS COMPLAINIG OF BEING TIRED AND SICK ) ALL MECHANICS AGRRED IT WAS WIRING BUT COULDNT FIND BAD WIRES, MISSING GROUNDS ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE OBDII DIDNT HELP. PROPERTY DAMAGE IS LOSS OF VEHICLE, INSIDE RUINED WINDOW COULDNT BE PUT UP. *TR

I OWN A FORD WINDSTAR AND HAD TO HAVE THE REAR AXLE REPLACED DUE TO IT BREAKING ALMOST IN HALF. THERE WAS ABOUT AN INCH OR SO LEFT BEFORE A COMPLETE BREAK OCCURRED. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS LUCKY IT DIDN'T SNAP COMPLETELY. ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE WE NOTICED THE CAR WOULD HAVE TROUBLE SWAYING A LOT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND IN THE RAIN INCREASING IN SEVERITY AS TIME WENT ON BEFORE WE HAD IT REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC EVEN SENT US A PICTURE OF THE AXLE AFTER IT WAS REMOVED. *TR

CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT 12/2008. THEN ON 1/31/09, THE SPEEDOMTER & ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. TAKEN TO FORD GARAGE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE 5 MPH IN REVERSE INTO A PARKING SPACE HE SUDDENLY NOTICED A LARGE POPPING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES WERE BENT INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118000. UPDATED 06/29/10 *BF UPDATED 07/06/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE INSPECTED BY THE STATE, THE INSPECTOR NOTICED THE SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE SUB FRAME REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE SUB FRAME AND AT THE TIME THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECENT STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS (11V030000) RECALL AND STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE RELEASED THIS RECALL LONG AGO. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

CRUISE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS STARTED TO SMOKE AND MELT. CAUGHT IT ON TIME THANK GOD. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ABOUT THIS ON OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT ON THE WINDSTARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY KNOW IT. AND ON TOP OF THAT IT IS ABOUT $300 TO GET THIS REPAIRED AFTER IT BURNS WHICH IT IS NOT AFFORDABLE THESE DAYS. *TR

DRIVING ALONG THE NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT 60MPH, I EXPERIENCED A LOUD POPPING SOUND. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIRMAN ONLY TO FIND THAT THE SPARK PLUG AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN OUT CAUSING A MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR - BROKEN REAR AXLE - VAN MADE MINOR CLUNKING NOISES AT LOW SPEED OVER BUMPS. ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VAN ACTED LIKE THE REAR END WAS LOOSE / TRACKING BADLY. A FLASHLIGHT INSPECTION AT HOME SHOWED A LARGE OPEN-GAPED CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. NEGATIVE CAMBER NOTICEABLE ON DRIVER-SIDE REAR TIRE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES ON INTERNET CAR FORUMS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS DOCUMENTING IDENTICAL AXLE FAILURES. SOME REPORTS MENTIONED TOTAL FAILURES THAT LED TO MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. THE VAN IS PRESENTLY AT A FORD DEALER PENDING REPAIR. DEALER PERSONNEL HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR WINDSTAR OWNERS THAT MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WINDSTARS ARE OFTEN USED AS SCHOOL VEHICLES. I HOPE PRESENT WINDSTAR OWNERS CAN BE NOTIFIED PRIOR TO ANY FATALITY OCCURRING. *TR

THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS RUST FREE FOR THE MOST PART. THE CAR HAS 80,300 MI . ITS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE NEAR INSTANTLY DEFLATED CAUSING TOTAL TIRE FAILURE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. TIRE SIDEWALL WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. SPARE INSTALLED. NO PUNCTURES, TEARS OR CUTS WERE FOUND ANYWHERE ON THE TIRE TREAD OR SIDEWALL. THE ONLY KNOWN CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE WAS A CRACKED (CUT) VALVE STEM IN THE AREA WHERE THE STEM SEATS AGAINST THE ALUMINUM WHEEL ALLOWING AIR TO EXHAUST QUICKLY FROM THE TIRE ONCE THE CRACK PROPAGATED TO INSIDE. PHONED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FOUR NEW REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE INSTALLED 3 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AND 23,170 MILES PRIOR TO DISCUSS THE BLOWOUT ISSUE. IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THIS IS THE 4TH TIRE OUT OF 8 THAT I HAD PURCHASED FROM THEM (THREE ON MY OTHER VEHICLE AND ONE ON THIS VEHICLE) WHERE I HAD TIRE FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED VALVE STEMS. REFERENCE ODI #'S 10254187, 10254189 AND 10254191). CRACKED VALVE STEM INFORMATION; TR 413, 217 EHA, GERMANY, 03. TO DATE, THE TIRE AND VALVE STEM HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AND ARE BEING SAVED FOR REFERENCE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE FAILED PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION,DUE TO ROTTING METAL ON FRONT SUBFRAME,LOCATED NEAR WERE CONNECTION TO UNI-BODY EXIST. SUBFRAME HAS ROTTED A HOLE AND IS CONTINUING TO DETERIORATE. PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO ENTER NEUTRAL. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND THAT THE WELD THAT ANCHORS THE CONTROL ARM TO THE ENGINE CRADLE/SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN. CONTROL ARM PULLED AWAY FROM THE CRADLE AND DISLODGED THE RIGHT HALFSHAFT LEAVING VEHICLE IMMOBILE. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. A NON-MOVING, FRICTIONLESS PART SHOULD NOT BREAK UNDER NORMAL USE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, I HEARD A THUMP COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. I THEN FELT THE STEERING WHEEL GO FROM THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION TO THE 3 O'CLOCK POSITION. I STOPPED THE MINIVAN AND GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE UNDER CARRIAGE. I FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH A FEW INCHES FROM WHERE IT BOLTS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE S NO LONGER SAFE AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP BEING INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN A SUBFRAME RUST THROUGH AS IT DID. THE VEHICLE HAS ONE OWNER AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. PICTURES AVAILABLE AT REQUEST. *TR

THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AND ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALL AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD QUIT WORKING THE RECENT PAST. WE FOUND A WEBSITE IN TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM STATING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR FORD WINDSTARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS MELTED. THE FAILURE LED TO A SMALL FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. HIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE MELTED WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 162,000. UPDATED 12/02/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/03/08. *JB

BRAKE LEAK UNDER MASTER CYLINDER. CAN APPARENTLY CAUSE OTHER ITEMS TO FALTER IF NOT FIXED AND CAN EVEN CAUSE FIRE IN THE ABS CIRCUITRY. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT, TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND FOUND THE REAR ELECTRONIC MODULE BAD. REM COSTS $740 FOR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE? THIS IS A DISGRACE THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY MAKES ALL OF THESE TERRIBLE ENGINEERING ENHANCEMENTS FOR THEIR BOTTOM LINE BUT WILL NOT PRODUCE CARS THAT ARE MORE FUEL EFFICIENT TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING. WHAT A JOKE THIS SITUATION IS AND HOPEFULLY, THE NHTSA DOESN'T OVERSEE THESE SENSELESS DESIGNS AND APPROVES THEM. *TR

MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, I WOULD SMELL A ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELL AFTER DRIVING IT AND A LITTLE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. MY DADA AND MYSELF CHECKED AND FOUND A SMALL BRAKE FLUID LEAK THAT WAS GETTING ON A ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. THIS WAS ALSO CAUSING SOME FUSES TO BLOW. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE ABS ECM MODULE SWITCH UNDER THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. I PURCHASED A NEW SWITCH AND REPLACE IT, AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUBFRAME SUDDENLY FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

ON THE WINDSTAR THE ABS RELAY SHORTS OUT PUTTING A SMALL HOLE IN THE UNIT AND LEAKS BRAKE FLUID. I HAVE MET OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A LOT OF THEM. IT COST ME OVER $200 TO FIX AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM ON FORD TRUCKS AND WAS RECALLED ON THEM BUT NOT THE VANS YET. *TR

BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE SPEED CONTROL BRAKE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR

ABS MODULE SYSTEM FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO PRESSURE SWITCH LEAK. ACCORDING TO FORD, 1999 MODEL YEAR WINDSTAR IS NOT PART OF RECALL BUT MY VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS OTHER MODEL YEARS AS LISTED ON THE WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALLINFO.COM WEBSITE. *TR

I WAS IN MY GARAGE. I PLACED THE WINDSTAR IN PARK. I LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, OPENED MY DOOR AND WALKED TO THE BACK OF THE VAN. I HEARD A CLUNK WHICH APPARENTLY WAS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THE VAN IMMEDIATELY TOOK OFF AND THE DOOR CAUGHT ME AND SLAMMED ME INTO THE GARAGE WALL AND BROKE BACKWARDS. IT DRUG ME OUT THE GARAGE AND I FELL OFF. THE VAN THEN PROCEEDED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE STREET. IT DAMAGED THE NEIGHBORS YARD, MAIL BOX, CABLE BOX AND SHRUBS. IT SLOWED ON A BERM AND I WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN AND STOP IT. I MOVED IT FROM REVERSE TO PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WITH BRUISES AND SPRAINED WRISTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

ABS DASH LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY ,, SEEMS MORE FREQUENT WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. ABS DOES NOT WORK WHEN LIGHT IS ON... BUT DOES WORK WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS NOT ON. ... DIAGNOSTIC FAULT = C1185 ... REAR BRAKES REPLACED, FAULT CODE CLEARED ... ERROR AND WARNING LIGHT RETURNED WITHIN 30 SECONDS AFTER PICK-UP FROM FORD SERVICE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT RANDOM IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHT TO DIM. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN OFF FOR 4-5 MILES BEFORE ILLUMINATING AGAIN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS OPEN, SO HE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT THE HATCH. ONCE HE GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE, HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE THAT NEVER OCCURRED IN THE PAST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND A MECHANIC REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUN GEAR WELLS IN THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DETACHED, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 144,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE COIL SPRING AND TIRE WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING UNIT FAILED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATES AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

PULLED UP TO AN INTERSECTION, PUT THE VAN INTO PARK, GOT OUT TO CLOSE THE REAR HATCH. GOT BACK INTO THE VAN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND I HEARD A LOUD THUNK AND THE VAN ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC. I HURRIED UP AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND THANK GOD IT WORKED. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR MOVING AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE SHOP THAT'S REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION SAID THAT THE (SUNGEAR) WELDS HAD BROKE AND THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED SEVERAL FORD WINDSTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF BROKEN WELDS ON THE SUNGEAR. IT SEEMS THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS, BUT HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS FOR THEIR DEFECTS OF THESE BAD WELDS ON THE SUNGEARS OR THE OTHER DEFECTS IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE SHIFT WHILE DRIVING. THE GARAGE INDICATED THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHIFT. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. HE SAID IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE STUCK OR RUSTY, WE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VAN IN ABOUT 7 DAYS. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THINKING THE BRAKES WOULD RELEASE AND THE CAR WOULD BE FINE. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE AND IT WAS SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS HE IMMEDIATELY CAME HOME AND WE INSPECTED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND FOUND THE COIL SPRING WAS RESTING ON THE TIRE AND RUBBING. THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER WAS APPARENT AS HE DROVE BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY. WE TOOK OF THE TIRE AND FOUND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN NEAR THE BOTTOM. WE ARE CURRENTLY GETTING ESTIMATES TO REPLACE THE ONE COIL SPRING, OUR FIRST ESTIMATE FROM A FORD DEALER WAS $400 TO $450, WITH OUT SEEING THE CAR, IT IS NOT DRIVABLE. WE ARE UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME IF THE TIRE ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR IF THERE IS OTHER DAMAGE WE CAN'T SEE. OLD PART WILL BE RETAINED BY US AFTER THE VEHICLE IS FIXED. *TR

I HAVE A RED BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATING, AND MY CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. THE BRAKE SWITCH JUST BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE AND IT IS SEEPING ONTO THE WIRING AND SPEED CONTROL BOX. IF IT CONTINUES WITHOUT SERVICE SERIOUS DAMAGE IS EMINENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE MAIN ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN UPDATED 11/21/08. *JB

BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING FLUID CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK AND POSSIBLY CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ECM CONTROL MODULE. ALSO A POSSIBLE RISK OF FIRE CAUSED BY THE LEAKING FLUID INTO THE WIRING FOR THE ECM CONTROL MODULE CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT. ABS BRAKES NOT WORKING DUE TO FAULTY ECM CONTROL MODULE. PARTS HAVE BEEN PRICED,BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED YET DUE TO A LACK OF MONEY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED AND ABS WAS NOT RELIABLE. ABS WOULD ACTIVATE WHEN TURNING ON DRY ROADS. BACK UP RADARS AND TRACTION CONTROL ALSO STOPPED WORKING. SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC ABOVE 55 MPH. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR WAS OBSERVED PRODUCING SMOKE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AT 7:00AM 7/31/08 (THE VEHICLE WAS LAST DRIVEN AROUND 8:00PM THE PREVIOUS EVENING). THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPORTED THE ABS UNIT HAD BURNED AND APPARENTLY SMOLDERED OUT ON ITS OWN. THE ABS UNIT WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED TO CONTACT A FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THE ITEM WAS UNDER RECALL DUE TO HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH THESE DEFECTS. HOLMAN FORD (MT. LAUREL, NJ) SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE. NOTE: ROUGHLY 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CRUISE CONTROL, AIR CONDITIONER, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC ITEMS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE SERVICE MECHANIC OBSERVED THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT APPEARED BURNED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED WHITE SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE ABS PUMP MODULE, WHICH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS TO BECOME BURNED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,037.

ABS LIGHT ON. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON IN MY VAN AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP. EACH DAY WHEN I USE THE VEHICLE THE ABS LIGHT IS NOT ON, AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP, THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I FOUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE ECM IS DEFECTIVE AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD WARPS WHEN HEATED. THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY HEAT IN THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) (2C219) MODULE CAUSING EXPANSION OF A LARGE ALUMINUM PLATE (HEAT SINK) IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THE EXPANSION OCCURS WHEN THE UNIT GETS WARM ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE UNIT BECAUSE THE FRAGILE BOARD IS BEING STRETCHED AND MALFORMED. THE CODE MOST COMMONLY SCANNED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS IS CODE C1185. SEEN BY US OWNERS AS A YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT. *TR

ONGOING FAILURE OF FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE SPEEDOMETER/AC AND ABS. LEAK FROM UNDER MASTER BREAK CYLINDER ONTO SWITCH. FIXED BY REPAIR SHOP. 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

FOR THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING ISSUES WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR: 1. ABS LIGHT COME ON AND OFF...NOW STAYS ON 2. RED EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. 3. INTERIOR LIGHTS AND LOCKS WORK WITHOUT PRESSING A SWITCH. IN LAST MONTH: SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING A/C STOPPED AT SAME TIME THESE ISSUES SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR......WHAT CAN YOUR AGENCY DO TO MAKE FORD CORRECT THIS SITUATION SINCE THE MECHANICS DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT AN ECONOMICAL SOLUTION. THANK YOU. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ALSO KNOWN AS THE CRUISE CONTROL CUTOFF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF IT WILL CAUSE A MASSIVE FIRE. I HAVE 3 KIDS AND HAVE TO DRIVE EVERYDAY THAT'S WHY IM FILING THIS COMPLAINT. I NO IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE FORD DEALER WHO REPAIRED MY CAR SAYS HE KNOWS OF QUITE A FEW PEOPLE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. *TR

THE FRONT SUB FRAME DROPPED DOWN DUE TO RUST AT THE REAR ATTACHING POINTS. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY & THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES, IT COULD VERY WELL HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR FAULTY BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FOR CRUISE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FROM THE WEBSITE, FORD WINDSTAR RECALL: MANY OWNERS OF THESE POPULAR VANS HAVE ENCOUNTERED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS. FORD HAS NOT TAKEN ACTION TO SOLVE THESE CRITICAL PROBLEMS YET. *TR